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Current issues

Issues We’re Working on

Position on the Supreme Court Constitutional Amendment

In August 2026, voters will decide on the Legislature’s effort to amend Article 3 of our Kansas Constitution. The proposed amendment would abolish the Kansas Supreme Court nominating commission. People seeking a position on the Supreme Court would run for election. As candidates, they could hold office in any political party, and they could campaign and directly or indirectly raise money for their own or anyone else’s election.

The League’s state board has taken a position against this proposed amendment. The League of Women Voters of Topeka and Shawnee County concurs in that position, which follows:

The League of Women Voters of Kansas Opposes the elimination of the Supreme Court Justices’ Merit-based Selection System. We recommend that voters vote NO on the Constitutional Amendment on the August 4th, 2026, primary election ballot. Kansas has a fair system that ensures our state Supreme Court justices are unbiased. Justices are nominated through a merit-based process that ensures voices across the state are heard, and Kansans already get to vote on whether justices should keep their jobs. It’s a system that balances independence with accountability and has served our state well for generations. The proposed amendment would dismantle Kansas’ fair system and replace it with partisan elections, turning our justices into politicians. Instead of weighing the law and the facts of each case, they would be forced to answer to political parties, special interests, and big donors.
 
Coming up in early June, the LWVTSC will participate in a free Friday Night Crafts event to include making “Vote No” buttons, sharing voter information for the August primary, and providing an opportunity for postcard writing. Watch our upcoming events schedule on our homepage for details.

Access to Early Voting — 

The LWVTSC is continuing an effort that started in 2019 to increase the number of early voting locations. This objective was sought in collaboration with 20 other community organizations and leaders.  The Election Commissioner and the County Commission have been approached.  When that brought no results, the Secretary of State was asked to work with the Shawnee County Election Commissioner on this task.  Again, no response.  

Who Joined the Effort in 2019?

Mayor de la Isla; YWCA advocacy committee, Dr. Tiffany Anderson, USD 501 superintendent, Asbury Mount Olive United Methodist Church and four other local Methodist churches, LULAC, MANA of Topeka, the Links, Kansas AFL-CIO, KNEA, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, El Centro, KLC alumni of Topeka, and individuals including Blanche Parks, Grace Morrison, Marilyn Ault.

To date, the only early voting location in Shawnee County has been the Election Office located at 34th and SW Van Buren. We are not aware of a satellite early voting location being planned for the 2024 election cycle. 

Of the 10 largest counties in Kansas, Topeka is the only first-class city that does not have an additional early voting location. With established community collaboration, the LWVTSC will continue to actively promote voter participation with the addition of an early voting location.

How can you help? 

Contact (email, call or write) Shawnee County Election Commissioner Howell and voice your support for expanded early voting opportunities in Shawnee County. (Email: electionoffice@snco.us; telephone, 785-251-5900 or by mail to Election Office, 3420 SW. Van Buren St., Topeka 66611).  ALSO express to your legislators your support for expanded early voting opportunities.

Support these improvements in access to early voting:

    • Increase the number of early voting locations. (There is ONLY ONE early in-person voting locating in Shawnee County — the County Election Office. )
    • Increase early voting access outside of business hours (evenings and weekends). 

      (Shawnee County’s early voting period isn’t currently at the maximum number of days allowed by law.)

Learn More:

  • The ACLU of Kansas conducted polling that shows that Kansans support access to voting.  “The survey, conducted by the nationally renowned pollster Global Strategy Group for the ACLU of Kansas, sampled 600 registered Kansas voters from January 26 to January 31, 2023.”  See a summary of the results here   Learn more by reading the full report.
  • Want to dig deeper into election administration?  In 2023 the Kansas Legislative Division of Post Audit released two audit reports that looked at election security in 15 counties.  While the audits looked at only a few counties’ election practices (Shawnee County was not included in the audit) the findings point out that there is room for improvement statewide.  See the part 1 and part 2 of the audits for in-depth information.

 

Climate Change Committee 

The LWVTSC conducted a two-year study on climate/environment change. During the spring of 2025 the membership adopted a climate policy position to guide action and advocacy.  See the study report and position here.  The LWVTSC Board appointed a Climate Committee that continues to work on this issue.  See our latest Action Alert initiated by the Climate Committee.

Please contact us for additional information..